Rolling bearing with removable sealing module

ABSTRACT

A rolling bearing providing a first ring and a second ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, at least one row of rolling elements arranged between first and second raceways of the first and second rings, and at least one seal provided with at least one sealing lip. The first ring includes at least one first rolling ring having the first raceway and a first sealing ring secured to the first rolling ring. The second ring further includes at least one second rolling ring having the second raceway and a second sealing ring secured to the second rolling ring. The bearing also further includes a sealing module reversibly secured to the first and second sealing rings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to German Patent Application no.102020134673.5, filed Dec. 22, 2020, the contents of which is fullyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of rolling bearings. Theinvention notably relates to the field of large-diameter rolling bearinghaving an inner ring and an outer ring arranged concentrically about anaxis of rotation running in an axial direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such large-diameter rolling bearings may be used for example in marineapplications, for example in a tidal or marine turbine power station, orin a tunnel boring machine, or in a mining extraction machine or in awind turbine.

A large-diameter rolling bearing generally comprises two concentricinner and outer rings, and at least one row of rolling elements, such asrollers or balls, arranged between the rings. The bearing also comprisesseals disposed between the inner and outer rings to define a closedspace inside which the rolling elements are arranged.

Large-diameter rolling bearings are generally used in aggressiveenvironments, and in particular marine applications. Seals preventexterior elements, such as dust, abrasive particles, water, and marinespecies, for example plankton and algae, from getting inside the bearingand damaging its components. Those exterior elements may also alter theseal itself, leading to a reduction in the seal service life.

Typically, seals are fixed to one of the inner and outer rings andcomprise a sealing lip in sliding contact with a running surface of theother ring. Generally, a plurality of adjacent seals is provided on thebearing front side, which is directly in contact with the aggressiveenvironments, for example with the saltwater. For example, it ispossible to refer to the patent application DE 102018213357 (SKF). Afterseveral months or years of use, the seals wear and must be changed.

Maintenance operations are expensive and required the associated machineto be shut down for a long period of time. One aim of the presentinvention is to overcome these drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a bearing comprising a first ring and a secondring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, atleast one row of rolling elements arranged between first and secondraceways of the first and second rings, and at least one seal providedwith at least one sealing lip.

According to a first general feature, the first ring comprises at leastone first rolling ring provided with the first raceway and a firstsealing ring secured to the first rolling ring.

According to a second general feature, the second ring comprises atleast one second rolling ring provided with the second raceway and asecond sealing ring secured to the second rolling ring.

According to a third general feature, the bearing further comprises asealing module comprising a carrier reversibly secured to the firstsealing of the first ring axially on the side opposite to the firstrolling ring. The seal is mounted radially into contact with thecarrier. the seal being mounted radially into contact with the carrier.

The sealing module further comprises a friction ring reversibly securedto the second sealing ring of the second ring axially on the sideopposite to the second rolling ring. The sealing lip of the seal comesinto contact with the friction ring.

The sealing device forms a cartridge seal that can be easily fullyremoved without disassembling the bearing rings during a maintenanceoperation. The seal or the seals of the sealing module are not mountedon one of the bearing rings as it is the case in the existing solutionsand can therefore be easily removed and replaced during a maintenanceoperation. This facilitates maintenance and reduces downtime for thechange of seal(s).

Otherwise, with the first and second sealing rings, conventional ringswithout specific machining operations may be used for the first andsecond rolling rings.

In one embodiment, the sealing module further comprises at least onespacing element axially interposed between the friction ring and thesecond sealing ring of the second ring.

During a maintenance operation, the spacing element may be removedwithout replacing it which allows each seal to have a new runningsurface on the friction ring. As a matter of fact, with the removing ofthe spacing element, the friction ring is axially shifted with respectto the seal(s). The friction area of the seal(s) on the friction ring isalso axially shifted. This increases the service life of the frictionring. This reduces the maintenance costs of the rolling bearing sincethis friction ring may be quite expensive, due to the material that mayhave to be corrosion resistant as well as hard to limit wear.

An axial gap may be provided between the friction ring of the sealingmodule and the second ring, the size of the axial gap being equal to orgreater than the axial thickness of the spacing element of the sealingmodule.

In another embodiment, the sealing module may de deprived of suchspacing element. In this case, the friction ring may axially abutdirectly against the second sealing ring of the second ring.

The friction ring of the sealing module may be provided with an axialportion onto which the sealing lip of the seal comes into contact, andwith a radial portion.

In the embodiment wherein the sealing module is provided with thespacing element, the spacing element may be axially interposed betweenthe radial portion of the friction ring and the second ring.

In one advantageous embodiment, the bearing further comprises at leastone sealing element radially arranged between the first sealing ring andthe second sealing ring, and axially located between the sealing moduleand the first and second rolling rings. The sealing element enables tolimit intrusion of exterior elements towards the first and secondrolling rings during a maintenance operation with a full removal of thesealing device.

The carrier of the sealing module may be provided with an axial portionagainst which the seal radially comes into contact, and with a radialportion extending towards the friction ring.

In one embodiment, the carrier of the sealing module is mounted in anannular groove of the first sealing ring of the first ring.

The seal of the sealing module may comprise an annular heel mountedradially into contact with the carrier and the sealing lip coming intocontact with the friction ring. The sealing lip may project from theheel.

In one embodiment, the sealing module further comprises a first set ofscrews to reversely secure the carrier to the first sealing ring of thefirst ring, and a second set of screws to reversely secure the frictionring to the second sealing ring of the second ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood bystudying the detailed description of a specific embodiment given by wayof a non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings onwhich:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-section of a rolling bearing according to anexample of the invention in a first position,

FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1 ,

FIGS. 3 to 7 are cross-sections showing the disassembly and thereassembly of a sealing module of the rolling bearing of FIG. 1 , and

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-section of the rolling bearing of FIG. 1 in asecond position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The rolling bearing as illustrated on FIG. 1 is a large-diameter rollingbearing comprising a first ring 10 and a second ring 12. In theillustrated example, the first ring 10 is the outer ring whereas thesecond ring 12 is the inner ring. In this example, the inner ring 12 isa rotative ring and the outer ring 10 is a non-rotative ring. Therolling bearing may for example be used in a tunnel boring machine, awind turbine or any other applications using a large diameter rollingbearing.

The outer and inner rings 10, 12 are concentric and extend axially alongthe bearing rotation axis (not shown) which runs in an axial direction.The rings 10, 12 are of the solid type.

The outer ring 10 comprises a rolling ring 14 and a sealing ring 16secured to the rolling ring 14. The inner ring 12 also comprises arolling ring 18 and a sealing ring 20 secured to the rolling ring 18.The sealing ring 16 of the outer ring radially surrounds the sealingring 20 of the inner ring.

The rolling ring 14 of the outer ring is formed as a split ring andcomprises a first ring 22 and a second ring 24 stacked one relative tothe other in the axial direction. Each of the first and second rings 22,24 of the rolling ring is provided with a plurality of alignedthrough-holes (not referenced) in order to be joined by screws (notshown).

In the illustrated example, the rolling bearing also comprises two rowsof axial rollers 26, 28 which are arranged between the rolling ring 14of the outer ring and the rolling ring 18 of the inner ring in order toform an axial thrust. The rolling bearing further comprises a row ofradial rollers 30 which are arranged between the rolling rings 14, 18 toform a radial thrust.

As will be described later, the rolling bearing also comprises a sealingmodule 32 reversely attached to the sealing rings 16, 20 of the innerand outer rings.

The rollers 26, 28, 30 of one row are identical to one another. Eachroller 26, 28, 30 comprises a cylindrical outer rolling surface. Theaxis of rotation of each roller 30 is parallel to the axis of thebearing and perpendicular to the axes of each of the rollers 26, 28.

The rollers 26 are arranged axially between annular radial raceways 34,36 respectively formed on the rolling rings 18, 14. The raceways 34, 36face each other in the axial direction.

The rollers 28 are arranged axially between annular radial raceways 38,40 respectively formed on the rolling rings 18, 14. The raceways 38, 40axially face each other. The rows of rollers 26, 28 are spaced apartfrom each other in the axial direction.

The rollers 30 are arranged radially between annular axial raceways 42,44 respectively formed on the rolling rings 18, 14. The raceways 42, 44face each other in the radial direction. The row of rollers 30 isradially offset outwards with respect to the rows of rollers 26, 28. Therow of rollers 30 is axially located between the rows of rollers 26, 28.

The rolling ring 14 of the outer ring comprises an annular groove 46opening in a radial direction inwardly towards the rolling ring 18 ofthe inner ring. The rolling ring 18 comprises an annular protruding nose48 engaging into the annular groove 46. The nose 48 extends radiallyoutwards. The protruding nose 48 protrudes radially from an outercylindrical surface of the rolling ring 18.

The rows of rollers 26, 28 are arranged axially between the nose 48 andthe groove 46. The rows of rollers 26, 28 are disposed on each side ofthe nose 48. The radial raceways 34, 38 are located on the nose 48. Theradial raceways 36, 40 are located on the groove 46.

The row of rollers 30 is arranged radially between the nose 48 and thegroove 46. The axial raceways 42, 44 are respectively located on thenose 48 and the groove 46. An outer cylindrical surface of the nose 48delimits the axial raceway 42. An axial bottom of the groove 46 delimitsthe axial raceway 44.

In the illustrated example, the rolling ring 18 of the inner ring ismade in one part. Alternatively, the rolling ring 18 may be divided inthe axial direction in at least two separate parts secured together. Inanother variant, the nose 48 may be made separately from the main partof the inner ring.

As previously mentioned, the rolling ring 14 of the outer ring isdivided in the axial direction in two separate parts, the first ring 22and the second ring 24. The first and second rings 22, 24 delimittogether the groove 46.

The raceways 36, 40, 44 of the outer ring are provided on the rollingring 14. The raceways 34, 38, 42 of the inner ring are provided on therolling ring 18. The sealing rings 16, 20 are deprived of raceway.

The sealing ring 16 of the outer ring is mounted axially into contactagainst a radial frontal face of the rolling ring 14. The sealing ring16 protrudes axially with regard to the rolling ring 14. The sealingring 16 is secured to the rolling ring 14 with the screws used to jointogether the first and second rings 22, 24 of the rolling ring.

The sealing ring 20 of the inner ring is also secured to the rollingring 18 with screws (not shown). The sealing ring 20 is mounted axiallyinto contact against a radial frontal face of the rolling ring 18.

The sealing ring 20 protrudes axially with regard to the rolling ring18. As previously mentioned, the sealing ring 16 radially surrounds thesealing ring 20. A radial gap (not referenced) is provided between thesealing rings 16, 20.

Each of the sealing rings 16, 20 may have an annular form or may besegmented in the circumferential direction. Each of the sealing rings16, 20 may be made of stainless steel or treated steel with a paintingor anti-corrosion treatment.

As shown more clearly on FIG. 2 , the sealing module 32 comprises acarrier 50 reversely attached or secured to the sealing ring 16 of theouter ring, a plurality of seals 52, 54, 56 radially mounted intocontact with the carrier, and a friction ring 58 reversely secured tothe sealing ring 20 of the inner ring. The carrier 50 radially surroundsthe friction ring 58.

In the orientation of the rolling bearing as shown on FIG. 2 with thebearing axis extending vertically, the carrier 50 bears the seals 52 to56. The carrier 50 and the friction ring 58 delimit together an annularradial space 59 inside which are disposed the seals 52, 54, and 56.

The carrier 50 is mounted into an annular groove 16 a formed into thebore of the sealing ring 16. The groove 16 a is centered on the bearingrotation axis. Diameter of bore of the sealing ring 16 is smaller thandiameter of groove 16 a. The groove 16 a opens on a radial lateral face16 b of the sealing ring which is axially opposite to the rolling ring14. The groove 16 a is axially delimited by a radial shoulder 16 cconnected to the bore of the sealing ring 16.

The carrier 50 is mounted into the groove 16 a of the sealing ring. Thecarrier 50 radially comes into contact with the groove 16 a. The carrier50 axially abuts against the radial shoulder 16 c of the groove. Thecarrier 50 does not protrude axially outwards with respect to thelateral face 16 b of the sealing ring. In the illustrated example, thecarrier 50 is flush with the lateral face 16 b.

The carrier 50 is secured to the sealing ring 16 axially on the sideopposite to the rolling ring 14 (FIG. 1 ). In the illustrated example,the sealing module 32 comprises a plurality of screws 60 to reverselysecure the carrier 50 to the sealing ring 16. The screws 60 extendaxially through the carrier 50 and are engaged inside threaded holes(not referenced) of the sealing ring 16 of the outer ring. The screws 60are spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

The carrier 50 comprises an annular axial portion 50 a and an annularradial portion 50 b extending radially inwards. The radial portion 50 bextends radially a first free end of the axial portion 50 a towards thefriction ring 38. The radial portion 50 b is axially located on theexterior side of the rolling bearing.

The axial portion 50 a of the carrier radially comes into contact withthe groove 16 a of the sealing ring 16. The axial portion 50 a of thecarrier also axially abuts against the radial shoulder 16 c of thegroove of the sealing ring. More precisely, a second free end of theaxial portion 50 a, which is axially opposite to the first end, axiallyabuts against the radial shoulder 16 c. The screws 60 extend axiallythrough the axial portion 50 a of the carrier.

The friction ring 58 is secured to the sealing ring 20 of the inner ringaxially on the side opposite to the rolling ring 18. The friction ring58 is mounted on the outer surface 20 a of the sealing ring. Thefriction ring 58 radially comes into contact with the outer surface 20a. In the illustrated example, the outer surface 20 a of the sealingring has a stepped shape to facilitate the mounting of the friction ring58. The friction ring 58 does not protrude axially outwards with respectto the lateral face 16 b of the sealing ring of the outer ring. In theillustrated example, the friction ring 58 is flush with the lateral face16 b.

The friction ring 58 comprises an annular axial portion 58 a and anannular radial portion 58 b extending radially inwards. The axialportion 58 a is mounted on the outer surface 20 a of the sealing ring.The bore of the axial portion 58 a radially comes into contact with theouter surface 20 a of the sealing ring. The radial portion 58 b extendsradially a free end of the axial portion 58 a. The radial portion 58 bis axially located on the exterior side of the rolling bearing.

As will be described later, an axial gap 66 is provided between thefriction ring 58 and the sealing ring 20 of the inner ring. The axialgap 66 is provided between the axial portion 58 a of the friction ringand the sealing ring 20.

As previously mentioned, each seal 52, 54, 56 is supported by thecarrier 50. Each seal 52 to 56 is mounted into the bore 62 of the axialportion 50 a of the carrier 50. The seal 52 is axially located on theexterior side of the rolling bearing, the seal 56 is axially located onthe side of the sealing ring 16, and the seal 54 is axially disposedbetween these two seals.

Each seal 52, 54, 56 is provided with an annular heel 52 a, 54 a, 56 aand with an annular friction lip 52 b, 54 b, 56 b projection from theheel. In the illustrated example, each friction lip 52 b to 56 b extendsinwardly from the heel 52 a, 54 a, and 56 a. Here, each friction lip 52b to 56 b extends obliquely. In the illustrated example, the lips 52 b,54 b extends obliquely outwards while the lips 56 b extends obliquelyinwards. In the illustrated example, the lips 52 b, 54 b prevent theexterior pollutants from entering inside the rolling bearing and the lip56 b prevents the lubricant from coming out.

The heel 52 a, 54 a, 56 a of each seal is mounted in radial contactagainst the bore 62 of the axial portion 50 a of the carrier 50. Theheel 52 a axially comes into contact with the radial portion 50 b of thecarrier. The heel 56 a axially comes into contact with the radialshoulder 16 c of the groove of the sealing ring.

The lip 52 b, 54 b, 56 b of each seal comes into friction contact withthe friction ring 58. The contact between each lip 52 b, 54 b, 56 b andthe friction ring 58 is radial. The lips 52 b, 54 b, 56 b are flexiblein the radial direction. Preferably, the free end of each lip has atriangular shape in cross-section in order to reduce friction.

The lip 52 b, 54 b, 56 b of each seal comes into friction contact withthe axial portion 58 of the friction ring. In the illustrated example,the lips 52 b, 54 b, 56 b come into friction contact with the outersurface of the axial portion 58 of the friction ring. In the illustratedexample, the seals 52 to 56 are identical to each other. Alternatively,the seals 52 to 56 may be different to one another. In the illustratedexample, the sealing device 32 comprises three seals 52, 54 and 56. Thenumber of seals may be different. For example, the sealing device 32 maycomprise at least two seals. The seals 52, 54, and 56 may be made ofelastomeric material, for example polyurethane.

The rolling bearing also comprises at least one additional seal (notshown), which is provided between the rolling ring 18 of the inner ringand the rolling ring 14 of the outer ring, to delimit together with theseal 56 a closed space inside which are located the rows of rollers 26,28 and 30 and the lubricant.

The sealing module 32 also comprises spacers or shims 67, 68 locatedinto the radial space 59 delimited between the carrier 50 and thefriction ring 38. The shims 67, 68 are supported by the carrier 50.

The carrier 50 bears the seals 52, 54, 56 and the shims 67, 68. Eachshim 67, 68 is axially interposed between two successive seals. Theshims 67, 68 remain radially spaced apart from the friction ring 58.

The shims 67, 68 may be annular. Each shim 67, 68 is axially interposedbetween the heels 52 a, 54 a and 54 a, 56 a of two successive seals.Each shim 67, 68 is mounted in the bore 62 of the axial portion 50 a ofthe carrier 50.

In the illustrated example, the sealing module 32 further comprises aspacer 70 axially interposed between the friction ring 58 and thesealing ring 20 of the inner ring. The friction ring 58 is axiallyspaced apart from the sealing ring 20 by the spacer 70. The spacer 70 isaxially interposed between the friction ring 58 and a frontal surface ofthe sealing ring 20 which is axially on the side opposite to the rollingring 18 (FIG. 1 ). The spacer 70 is axially interposed between theradial portion 58 b of the friction ring and the sealing ring 20. Thespacer 70 may have an annular form or may be segmented in thecircumferential direction. For example, the spacer 70 may be made ofmetal, such as steel, or be made of plastic material.

As previously mentioned, the friction ring 58 is reversely secured tothe sealing ring 20. To this end, in the illustrated example, thesealing module 32 comprises a plurality of screws 72. The screws 72extend axially through the friction ring 58 and the spacer 70 and areengaged inside threaded holes (not referenced) of the sealing ring 20 ofthe inner ring. The screws 72 extend axially through the radial portion58 b of the friction ring. The screws 72 are spaced apart in thecircumferential direction.

The rolling bearing further comprises one sealing element 74 radiallyarranged between the sealing ring 16 of the outer ring and the sealingring 20 of the inner ring. The sealing element 74 is axially locatedbetween the sealing module 32 and the first and second rolling rings 14,18. The sealing element 74 enables to limit intrusion of exteriorelements towards the rows of rollers 26, 28, 30 during a maintenanceoperation. The sealing element 74 closes the radial gap between thesealing rings 16, 20.

In the illustrated example, the sealing element 74 is mounted into anannular groove (not referenced) formed into the bore of the sealing ring16. Alternatively, the sealing element 74 may be mounted into an annulargroove formed onto the outer surface of the sealing ring 20. In theillustrated example, the sealing element 74 is of the labyrinth type.Alternatively, the sealing element 74 may be of the friction type.

During a maintenance operation, the method for disassembling andreassembling the sealing module 32 could be done as follow.

In a first step, the screws 60, 72 are removed and the sealing module 32is fully removed and positioned on the ground as shown on FIG. 3 .

In a second step, all the elements of the sealing module 32 aredisassembled. In a third step shown on FIG. 4 , the carrier 50 ispositioned alone on the ground.

Then, in a fourth step shown on FIG. 5 , new seals 52, 54 and the shim66 are positioned on the carrier 50. In a fifth step shown on FIG. 6 ,the friction ring 58 is positioned inside the bore of the carrier 50 sothat the lips of the seals 52, 54 are well positioned.

Then, in a sixth step shown on FIG. 7 , the shim 68 and a new seal 56are positioned on the carrier 50. The carrier 50 bears the new seals 52,54, and 56 and the shims 66, 68.

Finally, in a seventh step, the entire sealing module 32 with new sealsis repositioned and secured to the sealing rings 16, 20 of the outer andinner rings with the screws 60, 72 as shown on FIG. 8 . The spacer 70(FIG. 2 ) is not reused to shift the contact area of the new seals 52 to56 with the friction ring 58.

As a matter of fact, with regard to the first position of the frictionring 58 with the spacer 70 as shown on FIG. 2 , the friction ring 58 isaxially displaced relative to the seals 52 to 56 in the second positionas shown on FIG. 8 . Each lip 52 b, 54 b, and 56 b of the seals comesinto contact with a new running surface of the friction ring 58.

In this second position with no spacer, the friction ring 58 axiallyabuts directly against the sealing ring 20 of the inner ring. The radialportion 58 b of the friction ring abuts directly against the sealingring 20.

The size of the axial gap 66 initially provided between the frictionring 58 and the sealing ring 20 as shown on FIG. 2 is greater than theaxial thickness of the spacer 70 so that the friction ring 58 may beaxially shifted. In the illustrated example, a small axial gap 66subsists in the second position of the friction ring 58. Alternatively,the size of the axial gap 66 initially provided between the frictionring 58 and the sealing ring 20 may be equal to the axial thickness ofthe spacer 70.

In the disassembling and reassembling method previously described areplacement of the old seals by new seals is achieved.

Alternatively, it could be possible to detach the sealing device fromthe sealing rings 16, 20 of the outer and inner rings only to remove thespacer 70, i.e., without replacement of the seals.

In the illustrated example, the sealing module 32 comprises the spacer70 axially interposed between the friction ring 58 and the sealing ring20 of the inner ring. Alternatively, the sealing module may not comprisesuch spacer. In this case, the friction ring 58 abuts directly againstthe sealing ring 20 by the spacer 70, only has one position and cannotbe axially shifted.

As previously mentioned, in the illustrated example, the first ring 10is the fixed outer ring whereas the second ring 12 is the rotative innerring. As an alternative, it could be possible to provide a reversedarrangement with the first ring forming the fixed inner ring and thesecond ring forming the rotative outer ring. In this case, the frictionring may be reversibly secured to the outer ring, and the carrier may bereversibly secured to the inner ring.

In the described examples, the rolling bearing is provided with threerows of rolling elements. Alternatively, the rolling bearing maycomprise only one row of rolling elements, or two rows of rollingelements, or four or more rows of rolling elements. In the illustratedexample, the rolling elements are rollers. The rolling bearing maycomprise other types of rolling elements, for example balls.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A rolling bearing comprising: a first ringand a second ring capable of rotating concentrically relative thereto, arow of axial rollers arranged between a first raceway of the first ringand a second raceway of the second ring, a seal positioned between thefirst ring and the second ring, the seal having a sealing lip, a row ofradial rollers axially aligned with a sealing module, the first ringhaving a first rolling ring provided with the first raceway and a firstsealing ring secured to the first rolling ring, the second ring having asecond rolling ring provided with the second raceway and a secondsealing ring secured to the second rolling ring, the sealing modulecomprising: a carrier detachably secured to an axial side of the firstsealing ring opposite to the first rolling ring, the seal beingpositioned on the carrier in radial contact therewith, and a frictionring detachably secured to an axial side of the second sealing ringopposite to the second rolling ring, the sealing lip of the seal cominginto contact with the friction ring.
 2. The rolling bearing according toclaim 1, wherein the carrier of the sealing module is provided with anaxial portion against which the seal radially comes into contact, andwith a radial portion extending towards the friction ring.
 3. Therolling bearing according to claim 1, wherein the carrier of the sealingmodule is mounted in an annular groove of the first sealing ring of thefirst ring.
 4. The rolling bearing according to claim 1, wherein theseal of the sealing module comprises an annular heel positioned on thecarrier in radial contact therewith, and the sealing lip projection fromthe heel.
 5. A rolling bearing comprising: a first ring and a secondring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, a rowof rolling elements arranged between a first raceway of the first ringand a second raceway of the second ring, and a seal provided with asealing lip, the first ring having a first rolling ring provided withthe first raceway and a first sealing ring secured to the first rollingring, the second ring having a second rolling ring provided with thesecond raceway and a second sealing ring secured to the second rollingring, a sealing module comprising: a carrier detachably secured to thefirst sealing ring of the first ring axially on the side opposite to thefirst rolling ring, the seal being mounted so as to radially contact thecarrier, and a friction ring detachably secured to the second sealingring of the second ring axially on the side opposite to the secondrolling ring, the sealing lip of the seal coming into contact with thefriction ring, and at least one spacing element axially interposedbetween the friction ring and the second sealing ring of the secondring.
 6. The rolling bearing according to claim 5, wherein an axial gapis provided between the friction ring of the sealing module and thesecond sealing ring, the size of the axial gap being equal to or greaterthan the axial thickness of the spacing element of the sealing module.7. A rolling bearing comprising: a first ring and a second ring capableof rotating concentrically relative to one another, a row of rollingelements arranged between a first raceway of the first ring and a secondraceway of the second ring, and a seal provided with a sealing lip, thefirst ring having a first rolling ring provided with the first racewayand a first sealing ring secured to the first rolling ring, the secondring having a second rolling ring provided with the second raceway and asecond sealing ring secured to the second rolling ring, a sealing modulecomprising: a carrier detachably secured to the first sealing ring ofthe first ring axially on the side opposite to the first rolling ring,the seal being mounted so as to radially contact the carrier, and afriction ring detachably secured to the second sealing ring of thesecond ring axially on the side opposite to the second rolling ring, thesealing lip of the seal coming into contact with the friction ring, thefriction ring of the sealing module having an axial portion onto whichthe sealing lip of the seal comes into contact, and with a radialportion.
 8. The rolling bearing according to claim 7, wherein thesealing module further comprises at least one spacing element axiallyinterposed between the friction ring and the second sealing ring of thesecond ring, and wherein the spacing element of the sealing module isaxially interposed between the radial portion of the friction ring andthe second sealing ring.
 9. A rolling bearing comprising: a first ringand a second ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to oneanother, a row of rolling elements arranged between a first raceway ofthe first ring and a second raceway of the second ring, and a sealprovided with a sealing lip, the first ring having a first rolling ringprovided with the first raceway and a first sealing ring secured to thefirst rolling ring, the second ring having a second rolling ringprovided with the second raceway and a second sealing ring secured tothe second rolling ring, a sealing module comprising: a carrierdetachably secured to the first sealing ring of the first ring axiallyon the side opposite to the first rolling ring, the seal being mountedso as to radially contact the carrier, and a friction ring detachablysecured to the second sealing ring of the second ring axially on theside opposite to the second rolling ring, the sealing lip of the sealcoming into contact with the friction ring, a sealing element radiallyarranged between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring, andaxially located between the sealing module and the first and secondrolling rings.
 10. A rolling bearing comprising: a first ring and asecond ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another,a row of rolling elements arranged between a first raceway of the firstring and a second raceway of the second ring, and a seal provided with asealing lip, the first ring having a first rolling ring provided withthe first raceway and a first sealing ring secured to the first rollingring, the second ring having a second rolling ring provided with thesecond raceway and a second sealing ring secured to the second rollingring, a sealing module comprising: a carrier detachably secured to thefirst sealing ring of the first ring axially on the side opposite to thefirst rolling ring, the seal being mounted so as to radially contact thecarrier, and a friction ring detachably secured to the second sealingring of the second ring axially on the side opposite to the secondrolling ring, the sealing lip of the seal coming into contact with thefriction ring, and a first set of screws to detachably secure thecarrier to the first sealing ring of the first ring, and a second set ofscrews to detachably secure the friction ring to the second sealing ringof the second ring.